Snow removal device



Aug. 25, 1959 CHAMPAIN 2,900,744

' snow REMOVAL DEVICE Filed April 5, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J 46 4s 45 45 4a 3 IN VEN TOR. LOUIS OHAMPAIN ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1959 CHAMPAIN snow REMOVAL DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 5, 1956 INVEN TOR.

LOUIS CHAMPAI N yd? A Unite This invention relates generally to material moving devices, and is particularly directed to such devices as are adapted for use in removing snow from sidewalks and the like.

The particular embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated in the drawings and which will be described hereinafter in greater detail, comprises generally a pair of forwardly converging pusher plates, a frame arranged between the pusher plates and vertically adjustably connected to the latter, and ground runners carried by the frame and movable therewith, so that the plates are vertically adjustable relative to the runners.

As is well known to those versed in the art, prior snow removal devices usually required the movement of a blade edge along a ground surface so that relatively small irregularities in the ground surface frequently obstructed movement of the device. While some prior snow removal devices have been provided with wheels intended to prevent these difficulties, the wheels are often bogged down and generally not suitable for rolling movement on snow.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to overcome the above discussed disadvantages inherent in the prior art devices, and provide a snow removal device which includes ground runners enabling the device to slide smoothly over uneven surfaces.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a snow removal device having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the foregoing paragraph, wherein the ground runners are vertically adjustable relative to the pusher plates to vary the elevation of the latter, so that the device of the instant invention is readily capable of free sliding movement over highly irregular surfaces.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a snow removal device of the type described which is extremely simple in construction and operation, durable and reliable in use, and which can be economically manufactured, sold, stored and maintained.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in-the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 isa top plan view showing a snow removal device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

. Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing the snow removal device of Figure 1, and illustrating in dot-and-.

dash outline an alternate position of vertical runner and plate adjustment; s

Figure 3 is a generally horizontal, sectional view taken substantially along the line'3- -3 of Figure -2; and

States Fatent 2%03744 Patented Aug. 25, 1959 ice Figure 4 is a vertical, longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of Figure 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the embodiment of the invention illustrated therein comprises a pair of pusher plates 10, disposed in angular relation with respect to each other, a rigidifying frame 11 interposed between the plates, and a pair of ground runners 12, 12 carried by the frame.

The pusher plates 10 are substantially identical and disposed in vertical forwardly converging relation, meeting at their forward ends along a vertical meeting line 15. Stated otherwise, the pusher plates 10 converge forwardly to define there between a rearwardly facing dihedral angle. Extending forwards from the meeting forward ends of the pusher plates 10, in substantial alignment with and opposite to a line bisecting the dihedral angle formed by the pusher plates, is a blade.

, horizontally elongate slots 22 and 23.

The pusher plates 10 are preferably of generally rectangular configuration, as best seen in Figure 2, while the blade 16 is of generally rectangular configuration, but has its lower edge 17 shaped .to curve forwards and upwards.

A pair of rearward extensions or wings 18, 18 extend generally rearwards, in substantial parallelism with each other, from the rear ends of the plates 10, respectively. More specifically, a generally vertically disposed wing 18 extends rearwards from therear end of each plate 10,

and at an angle with its respective plate, so as to lie in substantial parallelism with a line bisecting the angle defined between the pusher plates. V

As best seen in Figures 1 and 3, the blade 16, plates *10 and wings 18, may all be integrally formed of a single piece of sheet material, with its medial portion bent upon itself to form the blade, intermediate portions diverging rearwards therefrom to form the pusher plates,

and the extremities defining the rear wings. For reasons appearing presently in greater detail, the plates 10, blades 16 and wings 18 are preferably fabricated of metal having 'a resiliently yieldable characteristic, so that the blade 16 will be relatively stiff, while the plates '10 may be slightly deflected.

In Figures 2 and 4 it will be observed that the plates 10 are each formed in their lower region with a pair of forwardly and rearwardly spaced, somewhat Lshaped slots 20 and 21. Formed in the upper region of each plate 10 are a pair of forwardly and rearwardly spaced, In Figure 4 it is seen that the plates 10 are each preferably provided with a plurality of reinforcing sheets 24, 25, 26 and'27 respectivelysecured' to the plates in the regions of and v surrounding the slots.

The frame 1-1 located between theplates 10, includes a pair of laterally spaced, forwardlyconvergent elon:

gate members 30, each disposed in abutting engagement The elongate members "30 arepreferably converge forwardly at approximately .the same angle as defined between the pusher plates 10. Extending laterally between and rigidly connected to the frame mem-- bers *30 are a pair of forwardly and rearwardly spaced struts or braces 33 and 34, which serve to rigidly connect together the frame members 30 and maintain the latter in their fixed angular relationship.

l The runners 12 are disposed in substantial parallelism,

L with each other, on opposite sides of and extending longitudinally with respect to a line bisecting'the angle .be-

tween the pusher plates 10. Further, each of the runners- 12 has its forward end portion 37 curved upwards and fixed to the depending forward portion 31 of the adjacent frame members 30, while the rearward end portion 53$,

of each runner is bent to extend laterally outward and upward for fixed securement to the depending rearward end portion 32 of the adjacent frame member. The intermediate, ground engageable portions of the runners 12 are in substantial parallelism and rigidly carried by the frame 11. Further, the runners 12 have their lower edges substantially coplanar with each other, and nor mally disposed slightly below the plane of the lower edges of the pusher plates.

Fixed on each of the runners 12, extending upwards from the straight intermediate portion thereof, are a pair of forwardly and rearwardly spaced upstanding ears or lugs 41 and 42.

The frame 11 and runners 12 are connected to the pusher plate by means of apair of forwardly and rearwardly spaced, laterally extending lower stay members or bolts 43 and 44, the former extending through and being secured to the forward runner lugs 41 and having its opposite end portions received in the forward I-shaped slots 20, while the latter extends through and is secured in the rearward upstanding lugs 42 and has its opposite end portions received in the rearward I-shaped slots 21. The stay bolts or connecting members 43 and 44 preferably have their opposite end portions externally threaded for receiving fastener means adapted to releasably secure the stay bolt end portions in any selected position within their respective slots. More particularly, the forward stay bolt 43 is provided with preferably beveled washers 45 circumposed about the threaded bolt end portions and located on opposite sides of each pusher plate, and nuts 46 threaded on the bolt end portions also on opposite sides of each pusher plate. Similarly, the rearward connector member or bolt 44 is provided on opposite end portions with preferably beveled washers '47 and nuts 48 located on opposite sides of the pusher plate 10. By this means, the connector bolts 43 and 44 may be shifted to any desired position within the slots 20 and 21 when the bolts 46 and 48 are loosened, and releasably secured in the desired location within the. I-shaped slots by tightening of the nuts to clamp the washers against the plunger plates.

A pair of forwardly and rearwardly spaced, laterally extending upper stay bolts 50 and 51 extend between the pusher plates 10 and have their opposite end portions respectively received in the upper plate slots 22 and 23. Preferably beveled washers 52 and nuts 53 are circumposed about the forward stay bolt 50, located on opposite sides of each pusher plate 10, while preferably beveled washers 54 and nuts 55 are circumposed about the rearward stay bolt 50 on opposite sides of the pusher plates. Hence, the stay bolts 50 and 51 are adapted to be releasably secured With end portions received in any selected position within the respective pusher plate slots 22 and 23.

A handle column 57 may have its lower end connected to a medial portion of the connector member 43, intermediate the runners 12, and may be provided with suitable hand grip means (not shown) for pushing the device, as will appear presently.

In preparation for use, the frame connector members 43 and 44 may be selectively disposed in the lower or upper longitudinally extending portions of the slots 20 and 21 to adjust the frame 11 and runners 12 vertically with respect to the pusher plates 10. Thus, the lower edges of the runners 12 will be spaced a greater or lesser distance below the lower edges of the pusher plates 10, as selectively determined by positioning of the connector members 43 and 44 in the slots 20 and 21. For movement of the runners along relatively smooth ground surfaces, the solid line position of Figure 2 may be preferred, wherein the lower edges of the pusher plates 10 are spaced only slightly above the lower edges of the runners. However, when the device is to be used on relatively bumpy or uneven surfaces, the connector members 43' and 44, and runners 12, 12 are advantageously adjusted vertically downwards to the dot-and-dash outline position of Figure 2.

As it will be necessary to shift the frame 11 a slight longitudinal distance relative to the pusher plates 10 to make the vertical adjustment, the angle defined between the pusher plates will be caused to vary slightly. However, the yieldable resilience of the plates permits this vertical adjustment without employing excessive force or damaging the parts.

In addition to the above described vertical adjustment of the plates 10 relative to the blades 12, the angle defined between the plates at their juncture or meeting edge 15, and hence the lateral extent of the combined plates, may be varied within limits, either with or without vertical adjustments of the plates, by forward and rearward shifting of the connector members 43 and 44 in the lower or upper cross portions of the slots 20 and 21. That is, the frame 11 may be shifted forward and the connector members 43 and 44 releasably secured in forward portions of the slots 20 and 21 by the nuts 46 and 48, to effect an increase in the angle defined by the pusher plates 10 at their juncture or meeting edge, and an in crease in the lateral extent of the pusher plates. Conversely, rearward shifting of the frame 11 relative to the plates 10, and securement of the connector members 43 and 44 in rearward portions of the slots 20 and 21, effects a decrease in the dihedral angle between and lateral extent of the plates.

As the frame 11, and particularly the elongate members 30, function to rigidify or reinforce the pusher plates 10 against the snow loads imparted thereto, it is essential that the frame members always abut against the inner faces of the pusher plates. The resilient yieldability of the pusher plates enables the latter to be slightly deflected into firm abutment against the frame members 30, to be rigidificd by the latter, in all positions of variation in angle between the plates. Hence, although the portions of pusher plates 10 abutting the members 30 of the rigid frame 11 are necessarily at the angle defined by the frame members, the resilient defiectibility or yieldability of the plates enables the angle defined between the plates at their juncture 15 to vary upon forward and rearward adjustment of the frame. Therefore, upon adjustment of the frame 11 rearward, and corresponding adjustment of the stay members 50 and 51, the rearward regions of the plate 10 will be drawn toward each other and their total lateral extent reduced, while forward ad justment of the frame and corresponding adjustment of the stay members will spread the rearward plate regions further apart and increase their lateral extent.

The upper stay members or bolts 50 and 51, in addition to supporting the pusher plates 10 against snow loads imparted thereto, may be adjusted in their slots 22 and 23, and the nuts 53 and 55 adjusted on the stay bolts, to insure abutting engagement of the pusher plates with the frame members 30. That is, the upper stay members 50 and 51, and their associated fastener elements, may be employed to slightly deflect the plates 10 into abutment with the frame members 30, when such deflection is necessary.

As the device is propelled through snow, either manually or by power, the blade 16 will sever or slice through the snow ahead of the plates 10, so that the snow will be separated before reaching the plates. The plates SCX'VC to further separate the snow, moving it laterally outwards in opposite directions to the width between the rearward end portions of the pusher plates. The wings 18 function to smoothly press the separated snow against opposite walls of a path formed in the snow, and thus prevent the snow falling from the path Walls back into the path. Simultaneously, the runners 12 slide freely over an extremely thin film of snow, which melts rapidly to leave a clear path.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a snow removal device which fully accomplishes its intended objects, and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A snow-removal device comprising an integral pair of generally vertically disposed forwardly convergent pusher plates meeting at their forward ends to form a dihedral angle, said plates being fabricated of stiff but resiliently flexible material, a rigid generally triangularshaped frame interposed between said plates in abutting engagement with the inner faces of the latter and spaced from the juncture of said plates, means connecting said frame to said plates for limited vertical and forward-andrearward adjustment relative to said plates with said frame abutting said plates to vary the juncture angle and combined lateral extent of said plates by flexing the latter, and ground runners carried rigidly by said frame and extending generally longitudinally with respect to a bisector of said juncture angle, said runners thus being vertically adjustable relative to said plates for raising and lowering the latter and said plates thereby being adjustable to vary the angle therebetween and the latter extent thereof.

2. A snow-removal device according to claim 1, said connecting means comprising a pair of forwardly and rearwardly spaced laterally extending stay members rigidly connected to said frame and each having its opposite ends extending through and received in respective pusher plates for vertical and backward-and-forward movement relative to said plates, and fastener means for releasably securing said stay members at any selected position within said plates.

3. A snow-removal device according to claim 2, said plates being formed with generally horizontally disposed H-shaped slots receiving the opposite ends of said stay members and affording said vertical and backward-andforward movement relative to said plates.

4. A snow-removal device according toclaim 2, in combination with a generally vertically disposed blade extending forwardly from the juncture of said plates along a plane bisecting the angle between said plates and having its lower edge convexly curved for easy entry into snow without appreciable elevation thereby.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 157,078 Parker et al Nov. 24, 1874 301,831 Rea July 8, 1884 323,656 Franz Aug. 4, 1885 350,864 Butler Oct. 12, 1886 745,608 Heermans Dec. 1, 1903 913,256 Bradford Feb. 23, 1909 1,276,672 Mason Aug. 20, 1918 1,746,859 Hurd Feb. 11, 1930 2,152,092 Rougier Mar. 28, 1939 2,319,048 Fell May 11, 1943 2,345,460 Coderre Mar. 28, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS 713,572 France Aug. 17, 1931 

